IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary

    redundant

    adjectiverɪˈdʌndəntBand 8

    Last updated 2 September 2026

    In short

    “redundant” is a Band 8 adjective that means no longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.

    Meaning

    No longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.

    Example sentences

    • New technology made several roles redundant.
    • Hundreds of workers were made redundant after the merger.

    Synonyms & antonyms

    Synonyms

    unnecessarysuperfluoussurplus

    Antonyms

    essentialnecessary

    Collocations & common phrases

    Collocations

    make redundantbecome redundantredundant workers

    Common phrases

    made redundant

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    Frequently asked questions

    What does “redundant” mean?
    No longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.
    How do you use “redundant” in a sentence?
    For example: “New technology made several roles redundant.”
    What are some synonyms for “redundant”?
    Synonyms include unnecessary, superfluous, surplus.
    Is “redundant” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
    Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as make redundant, become redundant, redundant workers help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.

    Next step

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